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Colorectal cancer is highly treatable – if detected early Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among Ontario men and women. Yet it is highly treatable—if detected early. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and local physician Dr. Franz Ferraris answered some frequently asked questions about the disease. Who is at risk for colorectal cancer? “Family history is the big risk factor,” says Dr. Ferraris. “People who eat a diet low in fibre and high in refined foods and who don’t exercise are also at increased risk, as are people who have bowel problems such as inflammatory bowel disease.” What are the symptoms? “Abdominal pain, indigestion, constipation and blood in the stool are common symptoms,” says Dr. Ferraris. “Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation followed by bouts of diarrhea are others.” Who should be screened? “Screening should begin at the age of 50, or much earlier if you have symptoms or have a first-degree relative who has had the disease,” advises Dr. Ferraris. How does the screening work? Fecal Occult Blood Test kits, which test for blood in the stool, are available free of charge from your health care provider. To use the test, you collect small samples of your stool on three different days and then have the samples analyzed. “If there is blood in your stool, you will be referred for further investigation via a colonoscopy,” explains Dr. Ferraris. A colonoscopy permits a doctor to look inside your entire large intestine, from the lowest part, the rectum, all the way up through the colon to the lower end of the small intestine. “A colonoscopy also provides the ability to biopsy growths in the colon, make a diagnosis and treat colorectal cancer at an early stage,” he adds. How can you lower your risk? “A diet high in fibre, fruit and vegetables and low in meat will help lower your risk, as will regular exercise,” says Dr. Ferraris. “Watch for any symptoms and get screened. This is not a disease to be shy about. Be forthright about any symptoms, because this is a very treatable disease if detected early.”